Article for free-weight training

ABSTRACT

A light, ruggedized, easily used, easily storable and shippable article suitable for free-weight training at any number of pre-determined weights, is disclosed. The invention provides a bag suitable for filling with a readily available material such as sand or soil. The bag includes a pouch including indicia presenting a calibration marker. The bag also has a handle and a fixing structure. When one material from a predetermined set, for example dry, fine sand is filled in the pouch to the calibration marker, the bag is at a substantially pre-determined weight. The bag is then cinched tight with the fixing structure. In this fashion the bag may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training at a substantially predetermined weight. In preferred embodiments, the bag also includes orthogonally intersecting, reinforcing bands at the exterior on the bottom of the bag for rugged, long lasting use. Also a gap may be formed between the intersecting bands and the bottom of the bag, to allow other items to be hooked or otherwise attached at the bottom of the bag for portability. Preferably also includes indicia in addition to the calibration marker, for example filling and folding instructions, as well as a website URL address where the user can observe calibration data for various materials and other information.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present nonprovisional application claims priority to the following US provisional patent application:

Provisional Patent Application No. 60/711,470, entitled “Article for free-weight training”, filed Aug. 25, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to free-weight exercise devices and more particularly to an article for calibrated weight exercise.

2. Background

Free weight training is widely recognized as the best method for developing overall strength, as well as other benefits such as improving coordination. Hence, kettle-bell training, with an article such as indicated at U.S. Pat. No. D481,771 S, is becoming increasingly popular. While kettle-bell training and other free-weight training, such as disclosed at U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,946 are desirable, there are certain problems associated with such articles.

For example, shipping such an article to a purchaser is problematic. One standard weight for a kettle bell is 16 kilograms. This is a heavy, expensive and cumbersome article for shipment purposes. Often the cost of the shipping for such a device can add a significant percentage to the total cost of the article. Since such devices are often mailed to the purchaser, this poses a significant problem for both buyer and seller.

Also such articles may provide storage and portability issues because of the weight. For example, military personnel who are re-locating in a vehicle in a forward area may find it undesirable to store a kettle bell or other device in the vehicle because of the potential for shifting or significant moving of the kettle bell during transportation.

Another practical problem for free-weight training articles is that many are made of steel or other metal. Since free-weight training can result in accidentally dropping the article during exercise, heavy metallic devices pose an obvious risk for floor damage, or even injury to the user.

What is needed is an article which is easily and economically shipped along with convenient portability and storage. Also what is needed is free-weight article which can be used at a pre-determined weight, yet minimizes the risk of injury or property damage for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a light, rugged article for free-weight training at any number of pre-determined weights, yet easily used, stored and shipped. The invention provides a bag suitable for filling with a readily available material such as sand or soil. The bag also has a handle and a fixing structure. The bag may include indicia presenting a calibration marker. When one material from a predetermined set, for example dry, fine sand is filled in the pouch to the calibration marker, the bag is at a substantially pre-determined weight. The bag is then cinched tight with the fixing structure. In this fashion the bag may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training at a substantially predetermined weight.

In preferred embodiments, the bag also includes reinforcing straps and bands at the exterior of the bag for rugged, long lasting use. Also a gap may be formed between intersecting straps at the bottom of the bag, to allow other items to be hooked or otherwise attached at the bottom of the bag for portability.

Preferably the article also includes indicia in addition to the calibration marker, for example filling and folding instructions, as well as a website url address where the user can observe calibration data for various materials and other information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the inventive article shown before filling;

FIG. 2 is the side elevational view of FIG. 1 after the article has been filled and prepared for use;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the article, filled and prepare for use;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the bottom and side of the article;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the bottom of the article; and

FIG. 6 is a top view or the article, prior to preparation for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular, the inventive article 10 is shown in a side elevational view. Article 10 includes bag 12, cinching strap 14, handle strap 16, reinforcement band 18, accessory carrier member 20, reinforcing cinch patches 22 (only one patch 22 is shown in FIG. 1, the other is opposite on bag 12) and reinforcing handle patches 24 (only one patch 24 is shown in FIG. 1, the other is opposite on bag 12).

Bag 12 is shown prior to readiness for use in FIG. 1 (see FIG. 2 where article 10 is in operative mode). Bag 12 is preferably made of cordura or may be made of #10 medium-weight cotton canvas or any other material such as a water resistant ballistic nylon material. Bag 12 includes a top 26, a circumferential side 28 and a bottom 30. Bag 12 also includes indicia 32 and calibration stitching 36, as well as additional stitching 37.

Referring to FIG. 4, bag 12 is shown in a partial perspective view including side 28 and bottom 30. It will readily be appreciated that bag 12 has a cylindrical shape, namely cylindrical from top to bottom, presenting a circular perimeter 28 a (see also FIG. 6). Bottom 30 and top 26 are substantially flat and parallel for use (see FIG. 2 for illustration of substantial flatness of top 26 in the operative mode).

Referring to FIG. 6, article 10 is shown from a top view prior to filling, in the same condition as shown from a side view in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that top 26 is the uppermost component presenting perimeter 28 a. Perimeter 28 a as presented on top 26 features four quadrant folding areas denominated by reference numerals 38, 40, 42 and 44. Folding areas 38-44 are substantially four equally divided areas around perimeter 28 a of top 26 of bag 12. Also shown is nylon-reinforced stitching 45 at the interior periphery of bottom 30.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the diameter of bottom 30 is 9″ in the preferred mode, yielding a length of perimeter 28 a of about 28.27″. As viewed in FIG. 1, bag 12 has a top to bottom dimension of 17″ in the preferred mode. The dimension from bottom 30 to calibration stitching 36 is preferably 9″.

Still referring to FIG. 1, cinching strap 14 has a width of about 2″ in the preferred embodiment, with a pull strength of 4,000 lbs. Cinching strap 14 is made of rugged nylon material approximately 1/16″ in thickness. Cinching strap 14 in the preferred embodiment is continuous around bag 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) with sufficient length for the function to be described below. Cinching strap 14 includes a cinching buckle 48 and portions 50 serving to cooperatively form carrier member 20.

Reinforcing cinch patches 22 are securely stitched onto bag 12 for the functional purpose described below.

Still referring to FIG. 1, handle strap 16 has a width of about 1″ in the preferred embodiment, with a pull strength of 4,000 lbs. Handle strap 16 is made of flat or tubular nylon material approximately 1/16″ in thickness. Handle strap 16 in the preferred embodiment is continuous around bag 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) with sufficient length for the function to be described below. Handle strap 16 includes a handle buckle 52 and portions 54 forming an operative handle described below and portions 56 cooperatively forming with portions 50 of cinching strap 14 forming carrier member 20 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 for detail).

Reinforcing handle patches 24 are securely stitched onto bag 12 for the functional purpose described below.

Reinforcement band 18 is stitched to bag 12 on side 28 around perimeter 28 a (see also FIG. 4).

Referring to FIG. 2, article 10 is depicted in operative mode. Bag 12 has a dimension from top 26 to bottom 30 of about 9″ in this mode. It will be readily appreciated that other dimensions may be used to form different volumes and that calibration data discussed below can be appropriately altered for such adjustments in dimensions and/or volume.

Referring to FIG. 5, carrier member 20 is shown in more detail, made up of the intersection of cinch strap 14 and handle strap 16. In the preferred mode there is a slight gap formed between carrier member 20 and bottom 30 for the purpose discussed below (see FIG. 2).

In operation, and referring once again to FIG. 5, article 10 is typically in a pre-use mode with the interior of bag 12 and bottom 30 available for filling. A user will first prepare bag 12 for use by standing it on the ground or other structure based on the exterior of bottom 30. The user (not shown) will then fill interior of bag 12 with any desired substance such as sand or soil. Pursuant to the invention, calibrated tables (disclosed in exemplary fashion at the end of this specification) may be used for a range of materials readily available for a wide range of users. In particular, different types of soil and sand and other materials with various levels of moisture content are calibrated for the convenience of the user. In this fashion, the user fills the interior of bag 12 with a given material up to the calibration point, which in alternative embodiments may either be the calibration stitching 36 or the bottom of handle buckle 52 or the top of cinch buckle 48 (see FIG. 1).

After filling bag 12 to a calibration point or other desired level the user must secure top 26 of bag 12 so that the material contained within the interior of bag 12 will be secured to remain therein. In particular, top 26 is folded with reference to folding areas 38-44 (see FIG. 6). It will readily be appreciated that folding area 38 is opposite and facing folding area 42 while folding area 40 is opposite and facing folding area 44. First, folding area 40 is depressed downward on top of the material within the interior of bag 12. Next, opposite folding area 44 is placed down on top of folding area 40. Then folding area 38 is depressed downward on top of folding area 44. Finally folding area 42 is depressed downward on top of folding area 38 (see FIG. 2).

Next upper most portion 15 of cinching strap 14 is threaded through cinch buckle 48 and cinched down tightly to compress folding areas 38-44 down on the weighting material to secure it within the interior of bag 12. Finally, uppermost portion 17 of handle strap 16 is threaded through handle buckle 52 of sufficient length to establish the operative mode depicted in FIG. 2 (see also FIG. 3). Note that a slight gap exists between handle 16 and top 26 of bag 12 for convenient gripping by the user when article 10 is in use. The gap may be increased or decreased to suit a particular user by appropriate adjustment of handle strap 16 relative to handle buckle 48.

Once article 10 has been prepared for use, as depicted in FIG. 2, the user may simply grasp article 10 by handle 16 and use it for free weight exercise, such as in the manner that a kettle bell would be used. It will be readily appreciated that during use article 10 is reinforced by reinforcing band 18 and that reinforcing cinch patches 22 and reinforcing handle patches 24 serve to minimize wear and tear so that respectively cinch strap 14 and handle strap 16 are not likely to tear away from bag 12 during the lifetime of article 10.

Article 10 may also be used for purposes other than free weight training. For example, the interior of bag 12 could simply be used to carry potable water or any other material. Advantageously as shown in FIG. 2, carrier member 20 may be used to attach other objects for additional carrying. For example, a canteen or another bag may be hooked, threaded or otherwise attached to article 10 utilizing carrier member 20.

After use, handle strap 16 and cinch strap 14 may be unbuckled, top folding areas 38-44 then opened up and the contents of bag 12 may then be removed or dumped. At this time, article 10 is then ready to be stored for later use. It will be readily appreciated that article 10 when not in use is light-weight and of small volume for storage and provides for easy portability after purchase or for storing.

It should be apparent that the invention not only accomplishes the major functions required from such articles but does so in a particularly advantageous manner. It should be equally apparent, however, that various minor and equivalent modifications from the embodiments disclosed herein for illustrative purposes could be employed without departing from the essence of the invention. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention should be regarded as encompassing not only the subject matter literally defined by the claims which follow, but also technical equivalents thereof. 

1. An exercise article for free-weight movement, suitable for filling with a set of predetermined materials, the device comprising: a bag having a top, a bottom, an exterior and an interior, and including a calibration marker disposed proximally to the top of the bag; a handle strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; and fixing structure, such that when one material from the predetermined set is filled into the interior of the bag to the calibration marker, and the fixing structure is engaged to secure the material within the bag, the article may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training substantially at a predetermined weight.
 2. The exercise article of claim 1, further including indicia disposed on the exterior of the bag, the indicia describing weights for various materials, associated with the calibration marker.
 3. The exercise article of claim 1, wherein the calibration marker is disposed nine inches from the bottom of the bag.
 4. The exercise article of claim 1, wherein the bag is made substantially of cordura.
 5. The exercise article of claim 1, wherein the bag is made substantially of canvas.
 6. The exercise article of claim 1, wherein the bag is made substantially of a synthetic resin.
 7. An exercise article for free-weight movement, suitable for filling with a set of predetermined materials, the device comprising: a bag having a top, a bottom, an exterior and an interior, and including a calibration marker disposed proximally to the top of the bag; an accessory carrier member disposed on the exterior of the bag, proximal to the bottom thereof; a handle strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; and fixing structure, such that when one material from the predetermined set is filled into the interior of the bag to the calibration marker, and the fixing structure is engaged to secure the material within the bag, the article may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training substantially at a predetermined weight.
 8. The exercise article of claim 7, further including a cinch strap disposed on the exterior of the bag.
 9. The exercise article of claim 8, wherein the carrier member is formed by an overlapping intersection of the cinch strap and the handle strap.
 10. An exercise article for free-weight movement, suitable for filling with a set of predetermined materials, the device comprising: a bag having a top, a bottom, an exterior and an interior, and including a calibration marker disposed proximally to the top of the bag; a cinch strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; a handle strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; and a folding flap affixed to the top of the bag, such that when one material from the predetermined set is filled into the interior of the bag to the calibration marker, and the folding flap is folded over the material and the cinch strap is tightened over the folding flap to secure the material within the bag, the article may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training substantially at a predetermined weight.
 11. The exercise article of claim 10, further including a reinforcement band disposed on the exterior of the bag running completely about the periphery thereof, substantially disposed about halfway between the top and bottom of the bag.
 12. The exercise article of claim 10, further including at least one handle strap reinforcement patch straddling the handle strap proximal the top of the bag.
 13. The exercise article of claim 10, further including at least one cinch strap reinforcement patch straddling the cinch strap proximal the top of the bag. 